Closure for tubes and like containers



May 15, 1934. P, D, HARTOG 1,958,430

CIJOSURE FOR TUBES AND LIKE CONTAINERS Filed Deo. 7, 1932 27 /6 26 2f PQ/ ffy@ By /B/M, ,www fgw/S Patented May l5, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE CLOSURE FOR TUBES AND LIKE CONTAINERS Paul D. Hartog, Corona,

N. Y., assignor, by mesne Delaware Application December 7, 1932, Serial No. 646,049

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to closures for tubes, cans and like containers, such as contain tooth paste, talcum powder, shaving soap, salves, ointments, adhesives, etc. In general, the invention pertains to the type of closure shown in Reissue Patent No. 18,649 to Walther Kalb, wherein the closure element or cap is permanently connected with the neck of the dispensingl tube or can, and is reciprocated into open and closed position on this neck by a simple pushing or pulling motion of the cap. The cap is resiliently held in its open and closed positions by a snap spring preferably constructed in the form of a springbuckling disc or washer, the outer edge of which moves with a snap action across a neutral plane when this outer edge is pushed to a downwardly iiexed position or pulled to an upwardly flexed position. The closure cap is operatively connected with this buckling spring, preferably having attachment around the outer peripheral edge thereof, whereby the cap moves with this snap motion into open and closed positions, and is resiliently held in each of these positions by the spring tension of the disc. This general type of closure for tubes, cans and like containers possesses the advantages of preventing the closure cap from becoming lost; of enabling the container to be instantly opened or closed by a quick simple motion of the cap; and of assuring a close fitting, air tight seal of the container when the cap is in its closed position.

One of the principal objects of the present invention is to improve upon this type of closure by providing it with an improved construction of spring-buckling disc which will have increased elasticity and a greater range of snap motion between its two extreme positions. Such construction increases the range of opening movement of the cap, which is of advantage in affording a wider or larger degree of opening of the discharge aperture or apertures for a more rapid ilovv of the contents from the container.

Another object of the invention is to simplify the manner of mounting or attaching the inner peripheral edge of the spring disc on the neck of the container.

Other objects will appear from the following detail description of a preferred embodiment of my invention. In the accompanying drawing illustrating such embodiment:-

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view (taken approximately on the plane of the line 1 1 of Figure 3) through the improved closure and up,- per portion of a typical container, this view being on an enlarged scale and showing the cap in its closed position;

Figure 2 is a similar view showing the cap in its open position; and

Figure 3 is a plan View, partly broken away.

The container 6 is representative either of a collapsible tube for containing tooth paste, shaving cream, etc., or of a can for containing talcum powder, etc. The neck portion 7 is secured to the body of the container 6 in any suitable or preferred manner. The upper end of said neck portion is provided with a plurality of discharge openings 8 through which the contents of the container are discharged. The cap for closing this end of the neck is designated 9 in its entirety, and the spring-buckling disc is designated l1.

The neck '7 has a substantially cylindrical outer surface or wall 14, and a bore l5 opening into the interior of the container 6. An end portion 16 is preferably constructed as an integral part of the outer end of the neck 7. The outlet ports 8 open upwardly through the end portion 16 and may be in the form of a series of circular apertures or in the form of elongated, slot-like openings, the latter arrangement being illustrated. Inclned ribs or lugs 17 extend diagonally from the surface of the bore l5 up to the under side of the end portion 16, for integrally joining the end portion to the neck 7. A slightly reduced plug extension 18 projects upwardly from the top side of the end portion 16. A square shoulder 19 projects outwardly from the base of this plug extension 18. An annular tapered surface 21 extends downwardly and outwardly from the shoulder 19 to the cylindrical outer surface 14 of the neck, the outlet ports 8 opening upwardly through this tapered surface 21.

The closure capl 9 comprises a substantially cylindrical portion 24, from the upper end of which a conical portion 25 tapers inwardly, and from the lower end of which a skirt portion 26 ilares outwardly. The conical upper end 25 is formed on substantially thesame taper as the surface 21 of the neck 7, and is provided with an inwardly directed radial ange 27 defining a circular discharge opening 28 in the end of the cap. When the cap is in its closed position, as shown in Figure 1, the flange 27 seats on the shoulder. 19, with the cylindrical plug extension 18 snugly closing the discharge opening 28. This establishes a closeiitting, airtight seal for the container. If desired, the inner surface of the conical portion 25 may also be arranged to have contact with the tapered surface 2l of the neck,

although this is not essential for a tight closure. When the cap is pulled upwardly to its open position, as shown in Figure 2, the contents of the container are free to flow upwardly through the openings 8 and thence between the conical portion 25 and the end portion 15 and out through the discharge opening 28. There is sufficient closeness of contact or nt between the cylindrical portion 24 of the cap and the cylindrical outer surface 14 of the neck so that these surfaces aid in guiding the reciprocatoryl motion of the cap, and, if desired, this fit may be made suiiiciently close to prevent any of the contents of the container from passing downwardly between the two surfaces, although this is not essential.

The aring skirt portion 26 is suitably secured to the outer periphery of the spring disc or washer 11; preferably by forming a bead or inwardly directed annular ange 31 on said skirt portion which is crimped or spun into contact with the under side of the spring disc. A close fitting airtight joint can thus be established between the cap and the outer periphery of the disc. The inner peripheral portion of the disc is formed with an annular U-shaped corrugation or indentation 32. For facility of reference, the outer and inner walls or legs of this U-shaped formation are designated 33 and 34, respectively, and the rounded lower part is designated 35. The inner wall 34 has tightly tting engagement over the outer surface 14 of the neck, being pressed or driven down over the neck. Such establishes an airtight joint between the inner periphery of the spring disc and the neck 7. 1t will also be noted that this construction avoids the necessity of riveting, spinning or crimping a portion of the neck over the inner peripheral edge of the disc, such as has heretofore been necessary for joining the spring disc to the neck. Such operation of spinning or crimping a portion of the metal of the neck over the inner peripheral edge of the disc has heretofore been necessary to secure an airtight joint and to anchor the inner portion of the disc with suflicient rigidity so that' it could not accidentally become cocked at an angle to the neck. As above remarked, the pressed fit of the inner wall 34 over the neck secures this airtight joint; and, with reference to anchoring the disc against cocking, it will be evident that the relatively long length of bearing contact between the inner wall 34 and the outer surface 14 of the neck will prevent any possibility of the disc becoming cocked or twisted on the neck. The inner wall 34 can, of course, be made of greater length, extending upwardly beyond the top of the outer wall 33, for securing a greater length of contact with the neck, and, if desired, this inner wall can be riveted, crimped, or otherwise fastened to the neck. The neck may be formed with an outwardly extending shoulder 36 for preventing the spring washer from being pressed downtoo far over the neck in the assembling operation. Preferably, the rounded lower portion 35 of the corrugation 32 is spaced slightly from this shoulder 36 so as to permit this rounded lower portion to expand and contract in the exing of the disc.

It will be evident that a high degree of elasticity exists between the outer and inner walls 33, 34 of the U-shaped corrugation, permitting the outer wall 33 to bow inwardly toward and outwardly away from the inner wall. T -is supplements the biasing elasticity of the outwardly eX- tending portion of the disc, adding greatly to the ease and smoothness of operation of the cap and contributing toward a longer throw of the cap between its two extreme positions. That is to say, the elasticity of this corrugation enables the outwardly extending portion of the disc to be formed for flexure to a sharper angle, without at the same time making the disc objectionably stiif to operate; it being evident that the U- shaped corrugation is capable of absorbing some of the deiiection when the disc is snapped through its neutral plane. The greater angularity of the disc, which is made permissible by the U-shaped corrugation, imparts a greater range of movement to the cap. Thus, when the cap is in its open position, as illustrated in Figure 2, its upper end is spaced an increased distance from the end portion 16 of the neck, whereby a more rapid discharge of the contents of the container can be eifected. When the cap is in its closed position the spring disk exerts a constant closing pressure downwardly on the cap for maintaining the discharge outlet sealed. Also, in the preferred construction, the U-shaped portion 33-35 is made integral with the outwardly radiating portion of the snap device l1, but this U- shaped portion might initially be formed as a separate piece and be thereafter joined to the outwardly radiating portion. The corrugation might also face downwardly instead of upwardly.

It will hence be seen that l have provided an improved construction of spring actuated closure which secures the objects previously stated.

Having thus described my invention, what claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isz-- l. A container comprising a body provided with a discharge opening, an external cap for said discharge opening movable lengthwise of said body into open or closed position, said cap being adapted for direct manual grasping to initiate the movement thereof in either direction, and an elastic snap device connecting said body with said cap and operating to throw the latter either to the discharge position or to the closed position as soon as the cap passes beyond its median or neutral position, said snap device having an elastic corrugation therein comprising a portion extending longitudinally of said body.

2. A container comprising a body provided with a discharge opening, an external cap for said discharge opening movable lengthwise of said body into open or closed position, said cap being adapted for direct manual grasping to initiate the movement thereof in either direction, and an elastic snap device connecting said body with said cap and operating to throw the latter either to the discharge position or to the closed position as soon as the cap passes beyond its median or neutral position and to maintain the same in the position into which it is thus thrown, said snap device having an elastic indentation therein comprising a flange portion extending longitudinally of said body and in contact therewith.

3. A container comprising a body provided with a discharge opening, an external cap for said discharge opening movable lengthwise of said body into open or closed position, said cap being adapted for direct manual grasping to initiate the movement thereof in either direction, and an elastic snap device connecting said body with said cap and operating to throw the latter either to the discharge position or to the closed position as soon as the cap passes beyond its median or neutral position, said snap device having an annular corrugation therein intermediate its inner and outer edges and protruding downwardly away from said cap.

4. A container comprising a neck member having a discharge opening therein, a cap member for closing said discharge opening, said cap member having a push-pull reciprocatory motion relatively to said neck member, and a snap spring disc mounted on said neck member and having its outer portion attached to said cap member, said disc having a substantially U-shaped indentation therein adjacent to the inner peripheral margin of said disk.

5. A container comprising a body provided with a discharge opening, an external cap for said discharge opening movable lengthwise of said body into open or closed position, said cap being adapted for direct manual grasping to initiate the movement thereof in either direction, and a snap spring disc connecting said body with said cap and operating to throw the latter either to the discharge position or to the closed position as soon as the cap passes beyond its median 0r neutral position, said disc comprising an inner elastic portion lying substantially at right angles to the plane of the disk and exing in the movement of said cap.

6. A container comprising a body provided with a discharge opening, an external cap for said discharge opening movable lengthwise of said body into open or closed position, said cap being adapted for direct manual grasping to initiate the movement thereof in either direction, and a snap spring disc connecting said body with said cap and operating to throw the latter either to the discharge position or to the closed position as soon as the cap passes beyond its median or neutral position, said disc comprising an annular,

substantially U-shaped corrugation, the inner wall of which engages with said body.

7. A container comprising a neck member having a discharge opening therein, a cap member lor closing said discharge opening, said cap member having a push-pull sliding motion relatively to said neck member, and a snap spring disc operative between said neck member and said cap member, said disc comprising a substantially U- shaped annular corrugation, the inner wall of which engages with said neck member, and comprising a conical portion aring outwardly from the outer wall of said corrugation and having its outer edge attached to said cap member.

8. A container comprising a neck member having a discharge opening therein, a cap member for closing said discharge opening, said cap member having a push-pull reciprocatory motion relatively to said neck member, and a snap spring disc operatively connected between said neck member and said cap member, said disc comprising, at its inner periphery, a longitudinally extending wall engaging with said neck member, and also comprising a curved portion joining said wall with the outwardly extending portion of the disc.

' 9. A container comprising a neck member having a discharge opening therein, a cap member for closing said discharge opening, said cap member havingl a push-pull reciprocatory motion relatively to said neck member, an outwardly projecting shoulder on said neck member, and a snap spring disc operatively connected between said neck member and said cap member, said disc comprising an annular corrugation lying in proximity to said shoulder.

PAUL D. HARTOG. 

